Potatoes - the pink slip commodity and other top headlines

I thought bananas might give potatoes a run for the money, or lack thereof, as the most recession resistant commodity. Our fresh talk readers have spoken:

What is the most recession resistant produce commodity?

apples	3 (10%)
bananas	5 (16%)
potatoes	17 (56%)
lettuce	2 (6%)
oranges	1 (3%)
onions	2 (6%)

Votes so far: 30
Poll closed

More headlines snatched from the Web, starting out with evidence of the greening of the political class

Obama's energy secretary: act on global warming or California could be a dust bowl From the Guardian in the UK

In blunt language, Chu said Americans had yet to fully understand the urgency of dealing with climate change. "I don't think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen," he told the Los Angeles Times in his first interview since taking the post. "We're looking at a scenario where there's no more agriculture in California. I don't actually see how they can keep their cities going."

California drought expected to worsen: officials draw up ration plan From Ventura County Star

Groups wage battle over adding E-verify to stimulus bill From Nextgov
The battle pits immigrant advocates against proponents of stiffer enforcement of the immigration laws, who want to require firms receiving contracts under the stimulus bill to use E-Verify, which checks databases maintained by the Social Security Administration and the Homeland Security Department to determine the legal status of employees.

Aldi selects McCann Erikson as advertising agency The Earth Times

The rise of farmers markets From The Resident in U.S. northeast


Guatemala to export 4.5 million boxes of mango in 2009 From The Guatemala Times
Guatemala has approximately six thousand hectares of mango cultivation; over 50% of the production obtained is exported. 95% percent of the exported mangos go to the US markets the remaining 5% reaches European markets.

Japan's prime minister: Stimulus "buy American" provision wrong From Bloomberg
Obama willing to see provisions go away, report says

More Japan food trends USDA FAS report

The morning banana diet comes to US From Calorie Lab: Japan was gaga over the banana diet

AgJobs in the spotlight again: New York senator weighs in From the Watertown Daily Times

Farm lobbyists expect Sen. Dianne M. Feinstein, D-Calif., to propose an immigration bill for farm workers, called AgJobs, by spring, following six fruitless years of trying to pass it. The bills would typically come before the Judiciary Committee, but probably not without input from members of the Agriculture Committee, which has been a roadblock in the past.


Peanut mess shows flaws with FDA From the SF Chronicle

Credit card late payments hit record high From Market Watch

I love my healthy active adulthood and other headlines

Here is a link to a page with an hyperlink of the interview I had with Bill Marler Jan. 23. You'll already find the story from the interview online at The Packer site...

It sounds as if President Obama isn't exactly inspiring Wall Street confidence with new limits on executive pay for firms receiving bailout money.
Other headlines this early morning:

How organic is organic food? From The Appetizer in Canada:

Since it's left entirely up to the farmers to declare what's in their products, this lack of supervision makes Popoff skeptical of the entire industry.

"Everyone who is certified organic, pays the money and jumps through all of the hoops are going to say 'those jokers over there who are just organic, how do you know they're really organic?' My question is, how do you know anyone is organic? Even if they are doing the damn paperwork and paying the fee, there's no way of knowing," explained Popoff.

Right now, organic food is being held at the same level as conventional food, according to Popoff.

"It has to be a more stringent test. If organic is grown without chemicals, you can assume it's 5 per cent, if not less, than the amount you expect to find in conventional food. You need a threshold," he said.

China already in recession? Seeking Alpha: How it happened:
China and the other mercantilist countries (those countries that were maximizing exports and minimizing imports) were relying upon the United States to buy ever more of their products. But since the mercantilists weren't buying more and more American products, American consumers weren't earning more and more income. For a while, American consumers borrowed on their homes to buy imports. But when their home prices plummeted, they couldn't keep borrowing. This caused demand for the mercantilist countries' products to plummet.

Border opens to Alberta seed potatoes Capital Press

Florida braces for chilly night AP

Chile takes steps to revive salmon industry NYT

Shocking number don't know obesity causes cancer From Vital Signs

"Thirty to 40 per cent of cancers could be preventable if people led healthier lives, tackling overweight and obesity," Slavin added.

A global prevention campaign aimed primarily at youngsters has now been launched to deal with the growing crisis.

Called "I Love My Healthy Active Childhood," it aims to encourage children to have an energy-balanced lifestyle, based on a healthy diet and physical activity.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 22 million children under five are overweight today, and the problem is growing.

Des Moines Register: USDA suspends 19 from vet lab in Ames for illegal drug purchases

98 cent produce pack increases Fresh & Easy produce sales

The 98 cent produce pack is having its intended effect, says the latest Fresh & Easy news release. First, background on the 98 cent produce pack.

From coverage in The Packer, Jan. 19:

Tesco offers 98-cent produce packs
By Bob Luder, Senior Writer
Fresh & Easy has introduced 98-cent produce packs, it says, in response customers on a budget needing fresh quality products.
According to a news release, British retail giant Tesco's U.S. division, El Segundo, Calif.-based Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets, has noticed a sharp spike in its sales of canned foods over the past few months, particularly canned fruits and vegetables. The 98-cent pack was created to satisfy the need for budget-friendly fresh products.
"One of the things we've noticed in this recent economy is that customers are looking to save money," said Brendan Wonnacott, Fresh & Easy spokesman. "But obviously they don't want to compromise on quality. That's why we've introduced the 98-cent produce packs. They're affordable, but also high quality."
The 98-cent produce packs are delivered fresh daily to stores and currently include apples, oranges, peaches, carrots, bell peppers and tomatoes. With the new line, customers can always choose from six fruits and vegetables, which will rotate depending on season and availability.
"The reception we've received from customers has been fantastic, whether it's with comments on our Web site or leaving comment cards on site," Wonnacott said. "They're very excited about this new opportunity. It's been selling very well."


Today, sliding across the inbox, is this news release from Fresh & Easy:

Produce sales at Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores have increased more than 11 percent since January, when the grocer introduced 98-cent Produce Packs in response to customers looking for fresh fruits and vegetables on a budget. This sharp increase in sales shows people are continuing to look for ways to stretch their budgets while seeking out quality items.

TK: The release quotes Simon Uwins, chief marketing officer for Fresh & Easy, stating that the 98 cent produce packs offer customers a "great way to save money without compromising on quality or freshness."

The Perishable Pundit said this about the concept on Jan. 13:

We know value is the hot thing today and, certainly, consumers like a deal. However, one day the store is promoting its green credentials; the next day it’s the place you get stuff for under a buck. This is no way to build a consistent image.We also wonder if it is actually addressing the problem consumers experience in shopping for fresh produce at Fresh & Easy

TK: I think Jim protests too much (as usual when it comes to his takes on F & E) about the value-themed Fresh & Easy 98 cent produce strategy. With the economy in the iron grip of the reccesion, the 98 cent produce pack appears to be working - and that's a good thing for consumers and for Fresh & Easy.

CRS report: FDA authority over labs and other top headlines

It has often been said by food safety pundits, "You can't test your way to food safety." This is particularly so when you fail to heed test results showing that the food you produce is tainted.

Following that theme, Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group uploads this CRS report titled "FDA authority to oversee private laboratories that analyze imported FDA-regulated food." From the summary:

Industry observers have raised concerns about perceived gaps in food import safety over the past few years. One particular area of concern focuses on imported goods that are released into the United States market after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detains them under an import alert. Generally, these goods may be released into the market after an importer “provides evidence that the entry is in compliance with federal laws and regulations.” Currently, the FDA
does not have express statutory authority to regulate the private labs that test these imported goods for compliance, although the FDA has authority over the importer and imported products. This report focuses on obstacles to and legislative proposals for FDA regulation of the private laboratories that analyze imported FDA-regulated goods. It will provide background to that relationship, as well as present information about agency and Bush Administration proposals and legislative responses from the 110th Congress (particularly the Dingell Draft, S. 2418, H.R. 5904, and H.R. 5827) to the lack of regulation.


Other headlines snatched from the Web:

Feds rarely file charges in tainted food cases Passed along by Doug Powell of the Food Safety Network. Feds/ state vow to go after peanut butter manufacturer but precedent isn't with them

Food safety watchdogs and legal experts say criminal charges have only been brought against a handful of companies involved in high-profile outbreaks though federal law allows cases to be prosecuted without proof the company knew it was distributing contaminated food. They say the law is not used often because NRDC calls for ban of 2,4-d herbicidethere has been little will to pursue criminal charges in all but the most noteworthy and outrageous cases, and that has put the public at risk.

Bring me some wrinkle reducing jam
--THE OPRAH-IZATION OF FOODS. We want our food to come with compelling stories, says the Guru of New, aka Sarah Browne. A perfect example, she says: Dole organic bananas. Each one is branded with a number you can enter on the company's Web site and be transported, via Google Earth, to where it was picked -- and even find out by whom. The cooler your story (Ancient herbs! Long-lost tribes! Rare harvest!) the better.

Organic is good but too costly, consumers say Relating to use of organic inputs for gardening

Costa Rica expects EU offer on bananas in February From The Guardian
Costa Rica expects the European Union to make a new offer on bananas next month in an attempt to resolve the world's longest-running trade dispute, Foreign Trade Minister Marco Vinicio Ruiz said on Friday.

Settling the row would end a decades-long dispute that has poisoned relations among dozens of countries and remove an obstacle to an overall deal in the World Trade Organisation's Doha round to free up global commerce.

Figuring cherry supply and demand Also talk in this piece about the TSA's Certified cargo screening program

Mark Powers, vice president of the Northwest Horticultural Council in Yakima, Wash., said that part of the equation facing shippers of produce in the Northwest is simply what the market is going to be this year and how much capacity will be available. The biggest crop shipped by air out of the Northwest is cherries, with roughly 50 percent going out on passenger aircraft. If there is a significant drop in capacity without an equal drop in demand, an alternative would be to go with freighter airlines. While using freighters is less expensive, they are not as reliable, he said. He also noted that the cherry crop in 2008 was less than normal, reducing the amount of capacity needed. The big question for cherry growers is how big the crop will be this coming summer.


Little chance of a turnaround this year From Fortune. It's worse than you think, probably.

Recession can change a way of life From the NYT. Are we going to be a more stay at home, board game playing nation?

In addition to trying to get out of the recession — our first priority — many of us will be making do with less and relying more on ourselves and our families. The social changes may well be the next big story of this recession.

Not your father's recession From Oregon
"This is not your father's recession; this is your grandfather's recession," Krugman says. "That's what's extremely frightening, because your grandfather's recession was the Great Depression."

Adult fast food diets tied to too much TV as a teen From the Washington Post
Five years out, high-school students who had watched more than five hours of TV a day and were now young adults ate less fruit, vegetables, whole grains and calcium-rich foods. Instead, they ate more snack foods, fried foods, fast food, sugar-sweetened beverages and foods containing trans-fats.

A tomato a day From The Modesto Bee
Growers of processing tomatoes, meeting in Modesto this week, heard about a marketing effort that includes research into the cardiovascular benefits of the food.


Bee, mandarin decision may wait for bloom From Capital Press
Sometime in February, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura is expected to issue a draft of rules designed to keep the bees away from the seedless oranges. Because that draft is then subject to a mandatory 45-day public comment period, the final resolution may come too late for any changes before mandarin trees bloom and are once again vulnerable to cross-pollination by the bees.

The long-simmering dispute between mandarin growers and beekeepers led to 2007 legislation that called for formation of a Seedless Mandarin-Honeybee Coexistence Working Group.

The group, made up of growers and beekeepers, was charged with coming up with an agreement that would protect seedless mandarins from bees that carry pollen from seeded varieties of citrus and cause seeds to form in the fruit. The rights of beekeepers to place hives was to also be protected.

The group had a deadline of June 2008 or the matter would be settled by CDFA. The law called for a rule to be in place by Feb. 1 so both sides would have time to adapt, but CDFA spokesman Steve Lyle said the need for a comment period was more important than meeting the deadline.

Growers blame honeybees for carrying pollen from seeded varieties of citrus to their seedless varieties, causing the fruit to develop seeds. One or two seeds in every few pieces of fruit are acceptable, but multiple seeds in large numbers mean lower prices for growers.

The citrus industry has also sought to limit the number of hives placed near vulnerable citrus plantings. Beekeepers have been adamant about their right to place hives where permission is given or on their own property.

In the past several years the problem has grown because of the number of hives coming into the state for almond pollination. Many remain in the state and are placed near citrus for honey production. Acreage of seedless mandarins has also grown.

Door to door organics A network of CSAs?

Door to Door Organics, serving Colorado, Michigan and the East Coast is one of many produce delivery services growing in popularity. Here’s how it works: Each week, you receive a box containing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables based on arrivals from participating organic farms. You choose the quantity and variety that will meet your needs, and fresh produce arrives at your door with the click of your mouse.

Obama's FDA pick within days From Reuters

Tracking down a salmonella outbreak

Groups aim to protect U.S. jobs in stimulus bill From the LA Times
An amendment to the House bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), would require contractors that receive federal funds through the bill to verify the immigration status of their employees using a controversial program called E-Verify.

At least two senators have indicated they will push for a similar measure in the Senate version of the stimulus bill.

NRDC call for ban of 2,4-D herbicide

EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said the agency will accept comments through Feb. 23 about National Resources Defense Council's request to stop the use of 2,4-D in the United States. Comments can be submitted on the Internet via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov. The docket identification number of the 2,4-D petition is EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0877.

Dieting on a dime Another in an endless series of saving money with the food budget, and sure enough, this story plainly advises: substitute frozen fruits and vegetables for fresh.

UK COOL nightmare and other top headlines

The UK is dealing with a new impetus for country of origin labeling, but food manufacturers there, like here, dread the thought of origin labeling for multi-ingredient prepared foods. From the link.

"In this instance, most consumers don't expect country of origin labelling, unless its absence would mislead them. Creating different labels to reflect the changing origin of ingredients would add further, unnecessary costs to our sector at a difficult time for food producers," she said.

More headlines snatched from the Web:

Most produce recession proof Coverage from The Packer

A recent poll commissioned by the Newark, Del.-based Produce Marketing Association finds that over the past six months, consumers have at least maintained consumption levels of 14 out of 15 leading fresh fruits and vegetables.


Organic sector weighs option in fertilizer matter Coverage from The Packer


Europe suspends plan to censure Kenyan produce

Water: California's new gold rush The Sacramento Union. It's never been more grim.
The giants of California agribusiness are the biggest economic engine in the valley, which produces every cantaloupe on store shelves in summer months, and the bulk of the nation’s lettuce crop each spring and fall.

This year, officials in Fresno County predict farmers will only grow about 6,000 acres of lettuce, roughly half the acreage devoted to greens in 2005.

Later.....

Richard Howitt, a professor of agriculture economics at the University of California, Davis, estimates that $1.6 billion in agriculture-related wages, and as many as 60,000 jobs across the valley will be lost in the coming months due to dwindling water.

Analysts haven’t yet provided any estimates of crop losses this year. But Bill Diedrich, an almond grower on the valley’s parched western edge, said he’s already worried he may lose some of his nut trees in the drought.

What's the Obama agenda for Bush era regulations? From OMB Watch

A Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulation that sets requirements for country-of-origin labeling on meat and other perishable food items. Although consumers support country-of-origin labeling, critics say the regulation has loopholes. USDA used an overly broad definition of "processed" foods that can be exempt from labeling requirements. USDA published the regulation Jan. 15, and it is scheduled to go into effect March 16.


School officials worry about less fresh food for student lunches From the LA Times. This sounds significant and not welcome news for the industry.

Cafeteria workers may have to rev up those can openers: That's the warning from a slew of school and elected officials who are worried that California will run short of the money it gives school districts to supplement school breakfasts and lunches.

State schools chief Jack O'Connell has been warning since December that the money could run out this spring, and this month Assembly Bill 95 was introduced -- which would provide $19.5 million to make up for the shortfall. The state pays 22 cents for each meal a student gets for free; the federal government provides the bulk of the funding -- $2.17 to $2.57 per every free or reduced-price meal served.

Healthy and cheap Another stretch your budget feature, this published by The Tulsa World. Lots of produce centered advice here.


Nutrient-rich, inexpensive vegetables, legumes and grains are better options than most cheap convenience food, said Sharon Stroud, a certified nutritionist at Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st St. Stroud leads regular tours through the market to show shoppers how to get more nutrition for their money.

"I have people tell me all the time they can't afford to eat healthy," Stroud said.

But the long-term medical expense of eating unhealthy foods is something people should also consider, she said. Many inexpensive convenience foods are loaded with salt, sugar and trans fats that offer little nutritional value and lots of empty calories.

Nutritional guidelines recommend at least nine servings of fruits or vegetables per day, and if you're eating all nine, you're not going to have as much room in your diet for junk food, Stroud said.


Why I love the sneaky chef From NJ.com

The whole concept of her book is to puree fruits and vegetables and add them to foods your kids already love. The hope is that they won't even notice they're eating them.

Valley GOP leaders target pesticide rules California's state Republicans seek relief from Calif. central valley farmers



Farm to table in Hawaii A look at CSAs in the 50th state

NJ Tomato grower faces nearly $1M fine From Newsday

A corporate tomato grower has been fined almost $1 million for pesticide violations that could have affected the health of its workers, state environmental officials said Thursday.

The Department of Environmental Protection cited hundreds of violations by Ag-Mart Produce, including denying inspectors access to facilities, losing track of a highly toxic insecticide, careless record keeping and using forbidden mixtures of pesticides.

John F. O'Riordan, a lawyer for Ag-Mart Produce, said it was "stunned by the fine and more stunned by the DEP's comments. We will vigorously challenge this, and I believe we will be vindicated and the fine will be dismissed."

Emergency aid to food banks in Obama stimulus bill

The Obama Stimulus Bill in the Senate includes emergency aid to food banks.$150 million worth. Each local pantry could see up to $100,000 in relief.

I say potatoes, you say vodka From SF Examiner

All of the Karlsson vodkas are made from a variety of new potatoes harvested from the Bjare Cape in Sweden where the product is created. This region is to potatoes what France’s Bordeaux region is to wine. Surprisingly (or at least it was to this wine drinker) most vodkas these days are made from grains, not potatoes. Karlsson’s wanted to bring back the old world flavors that tubers impart to the vodka.

Web site promotes concept of "White House farmer"

Dole announces asset sale transactions

First, Dole has closed the first phase of the previously announced sale of its flowers division. With the closing of the first phase, Dole has now completed the sale of its flowers business and retains only certain real estate of the former flowers division to be sold in the subsequent phases of the transaction. Second, Dole has closed on the sale of certain banana properties in Latin America. Third, Dole has signed a definitive purchase and sale agreement to sell certain property in North America. When the North American property sale closes, towards the end of the first quarter of 2009, Dole will have received net cash proceeds of approximately $84 million from these three transactions.

E-verify: a nightmare for workers

For all of the promise that the stimulus plan passed by the House will help create jobs, a provision tucked into the package could actually push workers into unemployment.

That amendment calls for requiring that any contractors that receive federal dollars must participate in a program known as E-verify. A joint and voluntary program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), E-verify is used to verify employment eligibility.


China looks to jump queue in apple exports to Australia Prepare to be disappointed, China

The world's biggest apple-growing nation, China, may win entry to the potentially lucrative Australian market before New Zealand apples arrive there.

A draft plan on Chinese apples, released last week by Biosecurity Australia, says they could be imported as long as risks from 18 pests of concern were a "very low level", the Weekly Times newspaper reported.

The pests include mites, oriental fruit fly, mealybugs, Japanese apple rust, apple brown rot, European canker, apple scab, apple and sooty blotch and flyspeck complex - but biosecurity officials said they were satisfied China does not have fireblight.

A spokesman for Australian orchardists - who lobbied against entry of New Zealand apples on the grounds that they might carry fireblight - expressed doubt.

"We're ... yet to be convinced that China is free of fire blight," said the growers quarantine expert, John Corboy.

Great recession of '09

Fresh & Easy produce packs

Jobless numbers rise, durable goods orders fall

Apple juice helps with Alzheimer's?

The ugly math of foreclosures

“What we need is a moratorium on foreclosure while we get a plan in place. We could have five to eight million more foreclosures in the U.S. if we don’t do something about this. Banks have already written down these mortgages.”

Most recession resistant produce item

What is the most recession resistant produce commodity?

That's the question this week. Take your shot at the one-week poll, which I just put up today. Anthony Totta, a contributor in the www.linkedin.com Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group, offers this observation:

Potatoes, Onions, and Carrots because they are storage crops and they are relatively less xpensive (more volume for the dollar) and they are used in so many roasts, soups, etc.

Here are numbers from November to make a case for several commodity options.

Bananas: Data from The Perishables Group indicates that the average price of bananas was 20% higher in November compared with year ago levels (65 cents/lb in 11/08), while the volume per week per store was off less than 1%. Dollars per store per week were up 19% compared with year ago levels.

Potatoes: November data from The Perishables Group shows that average prices were up a whopping 25%, with volume off only 1.5% and total dollars up 23%.

Lettuce: In November, average retail prices were up 1.2%, with volume up 0.3% and total dollars up 2.2%.

Apples: The numbers don't look quite as strong for apples, with the average price in November up 8.7%, the volume for the month off 6.4% and the total dollars up 1.7%.

Onions: Average prices were up 8.4% in November, with volume off 2.5% and total dollars 5.8% above year ago levels.

Organic outrage and other top headlines for Jan. 29

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group links to this UK story about air-freighted produce and the organic lobby. From the piece:

The Soil Association proposed last year to ban suppliers and retailers from putting its certification label on fruit and vegetables that arrived in Britain by air, arguing that air-freighting produce generated 177 times more greenhouse gas than sending the same produce by sea. But the association has retreated after being lobbied by supermarket chains including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose and Asda, which want to continue selling air-freighted organic food. The decision to approve air freight, which the association posted discreetly on its website, will provoke uproar in the wider organic movement.

TK: The Soil Association is right. There is no justification for this higher standard for air-shipped organic produce.

China turning to the humble potato
China is the largest producer of potato in the world; they produce over 70 million tons of potato. And the Chinese government is looking to increase that to 120 million tons in the next five years to be able to feed their growing population. So yes consumption is increasing in China.

How green is my wallet? Organic food growth slows From Reuters

Typical growth rates of 20 to 30 percent for organic food sales in the United States eased in the second half of 2008 as middle- and upper-income families felt the strain of layoffs and declining investment portfolios, said Tom Pirovano, director of industry insights at market research firm The Nielsen Co.

Sales in December were up 5.6 percent, year on year, against a 25.6 percent rise a year earlier.

Even though growth is slowing, Pirovano noted that most people who purchased organic foods were very committed.

"I'm not convinced that we are going to see big declines in organics any time soon," he said.

Spinach the cure for citrus greening? From The Palm Beach Post

Gore urges action on economy, global warming

Save money at the grocery story Another in the long line of similar stories
Buy fresh produce in season -- citrus fruits in winter, asparagus in spring, tomatoes in summer and apples in fall. While we're fortunate to have access to most fruits and vegetables year-round, in-season produce is typically less expensive and more flavorful.

Choose canned or frozen fruits and vegetables when fresh is too expensive or unavailable. Just be sure to select those without added sugar and salt.

Trimming fat from the food and budget

14 day shelf life for fresh cut fruits and vegetables Hefestus Ltd. to unveil system at Fruit Logistica

Why more matters? Coverage from Great Falls, Montana

Where does agriculture stand in the stimulus package? Good breakdown of funding, based on Congressional Research Service report

2008 Annual Summary - Vegetables USDA NASS report
Fresh market vegetable and melon production for the 24 selected crops estimated in 2008 totaled 449 million hundredweight, down 2 percent from last year. Harvested area covered 1.73 million acres, down 3 percent from 2007. Value of the 2008 crop is estimated at 10.4 billion dollars, up 4 percent from a year ago. The three largest crops, in terms of production, are onions, head lettuce, and watermelons, which combined to account for 37 percent of the total production. Tomatoes, head lettuce, and onions claim the highest values, accounting for 32 percent of the total value when combined. For the 24 selected vegetables and melons estimated in 2008, California continues to be the leading fresh market State, accounting for 44 percent of the harvested area, 49 percent of production, and 50 percent of the value.

USDA nears decision on food safety chief Marler apparently not in the mix

Update on Taiwan's organic regulations USDA FAS report

UN chief warns of food shortages in poor countries
Sheeran said that more people are going hungry as remittances to poor countries fall and exports from developing nations slow because importers are buying less. Credit, which is vital to small farmers for buying seeds and fertilizer at the beginning of the season, has become inaccessible for many, she said.

Retail banana price wars bad for workers Coverage from the UK

Avocado commission to meet in Fallbrook
The California Avocado Commission is to meet in Fallbrook Thursday, its first meeting since a state audit uncovered questionable spending practices by staffers and commissioners.

Commission members are likely to get an earful from local growers angry about a California Department of Food and Agriculture report released earlier this month that outlined more than $1.5 million spent on clothes, ball games, home improvements and other dubious expenses.

236,000 foreclosures in Cali last year
In California, the areas that have been hardest hit by foreclosures include the Inland Empire, the Antelope Valley and the Central Valley, where many first-time homeowners flocked to buy new homes.

Feds again push back E-verify deadline
The federal government has agreed to postpone implementing the E-Verify regulation for federal contractors until May 21, 2009 at the earliest, a business group said today. The regulation requires contractors to check with the E-Verify system to ascertain whether workers are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Federal officials agreed to a request by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to postpone enforcement of the regulation so that the rule can be reviewed by the Barack Obama administration, the organization said in a news release.

Activists keep heat on Obama over immigration
Opponents say Obama is unlikely to tackle comprehensive reform until the second or third year of his term. Advocates say he could raise the issue as early as September if a stimulus package currently before Congress succeeds in stemming the economic slide, and if progress meeting other policy goals such as healthcare reform is made.

U.S. consumers will help determine future world growth
Economists say the fiscal-stimulus packages from Washington to Beijing will cushion the downturn but fall short of preventing a world-wide recession. And global growth, when it comes, will still be powered in part by U.S. consumers -- though they'll spend far less than they did in the debt-fueled years of the recent boom.

New global climate change deal urged Which is it - global warming or climate change?

"This is almost certainly our last chance to get climate change under control before it passes the point of no return,” said EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, who noted that President Obama’s early statements on climate change were “tremendously encouraging”.

Mr Dimas was speaking at the launch of the EU’s draft negotiating position, which the commission has prepared for this year’s Copenhagen climate summit, where countries will gather under the auspices of the UN to agree a successor to Kyoto.

The EU proposal, which must still be approved by EU leaders, calls for the creation of an OECD-wide emissions trading system to enable world powers to trade carbon permits by 2015. “It appears Obama prefers cap and trade,” said Mr Dimas, who added that many states, such as New Zealand, Australia and Japan, were already moving in that direction.

Kroger and Cellfire use of digital coupons expands


The food industry made us fat Review of the book "Stuffed" A fast food nation-esque book about food manufacturers

Chat - John Toner

Here is a Fresh Talk chat conducted Jan. 28 with John Toner, who is vice president for convention and industry relations for the United Fresh Produce Association. The veteran of United Fresh of nearly 10 years has key responsibility for the April 21-April 24 United Fresh show in Las Vegas.

8:31 AM me: John, are you there?

john.toner.v: yep

8:32 AM me: Great. Thanks for making time for another Fresh Talk chat. First of all, where did you grow up, and what was your hometown "famous" for?

8:33 AM john.toner.v: I was actually born four city blocks away from our office at the GW Hospital. I grew up in Arlington, VA but trace my roots back to Pittsburgh where my grandparents lived and spent lots of quality time on Southside - Go Steelers! I also grew up spending summers at Lake George in the Adirondacks.

8:34 AM What's Arlington famous for? The cemetery, Pentagon, "inside the beltway"

8:35 AM me: We know your Super Bowl pick then, don't we?

john.toner.v: Yep, although I am a bit nervous. The Cardinals know our offense better than we do.

8:36 AM me: This is sort of an off the wall question, but what would you say are the "words of wisdom" or "words to live by" from your mom or dad?

8:37 AM john.toner.v: It's actually from Calvin Coolidge: "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

8:38 AM me: I like that. I think Churchill had a quote like that -- keep trying

8:40 AM john.toner.v: Also, I was taught when it comes to business - it's not a quotable quote that I know of - "When doing a deal with that has 4 zeros, shake a hand; when it has 5 zeros, see the office" that's a fundamental part of why we are in the financial mess we are in. Not knowing enough about one's business partners. I am nervous for my generation who thinks everything can be done through the internet. Trust cannot be established through the internet - that has to be face-to-face.

8:45 AM meHow did your career path lead you to United after college?

8:46 AM john.toner.v: How soon did I find United? I was working at Safeway(I worked nights in produce/dairy - double pay for the night shift) and started temping in accounting departments during daylight hours. One of my college fraternity brother's sister friends worked at United and so I knew socially Jeff Oberman. They were looking for help, and one thing led to another and I had a job.

8:47 AM I am a strong believer in joining things for the common good and a trade association seemed like a good fit for me, and so it has.

8:49 AM me: To follow up, you have been at United nearly 10 years by my accounting. What have you enjoyed about working at the association and your interaction with the industry? For the benefit of readers, what is your job title and what does your inbox look like now?

8:54 AM john.toner.v: This is a great industry, it really is a family. I have enjoyed the friends that I have made because for the most part, they dont change. And it's a growing industry - agriculture is part of our roots. And what can be greater than working for grapes, bananas, oranges - things that taste great naturally! My job title? I've had many here over the years but it's now Vice President, Convention and Industry Relations - but I'm not too concerned with titles. My inbox? In actuality it's a mess - I try to stay up on restaurant/foodservice trends, fresh-cut trends, growing trends, expo management trends so it's overflowing with periodicals. As far as email inbox? We have a show coming up in three months so it's full of exhibitor requests, attendance promotion plans, plans for Berlin next week, and alot of emails about how the Steelers are going to win the Super Bowl.

8:56 AM Some of the emails in my inbox right now are about "A penny wise and a pound foolish." You will see our attendance marketing talk about saving pennies. To often our industry is so focused on sales/marketing that they don't realize at trade shows if eyes are open attendees can see ways to save costs. Too often people are looking for the "Red badge" and not looking at other opportunities -it's one of my biggest challenges on a day-to-day basis.

8:57 AM Also, I just got my daily FreshTalk blog update in my inbox.

8:58 AM me: Very nice. You mentioned the show in Vegas. How has the recession impacted what you want to do with the show? It has to be a challenge for anyone responsible for a convention..What are the main selling points you use to convince people of the value of the show?

7 minutes

9:06 AM john.toner.v: Hmm, that's a loaded question. It's a challenge for everyone right now. Obviously people still need to see what's new, connect with trading partners, etc. But at the end of the day it's an economics thing. Sure, in the short run you could costs and cut travel etc. - but that is not a good business plan to long-term profit growth. The economy will turn around an you have to positioned to capture it. Think of it this way: What's 10 sales trips cost a company or someone personally? $1,000 a trip? $500 a trip? Plus the costs of being out of the office. So at a convention you can spend your time and money more efficiently and get a better return on the spend by planning meetings in advance. Too often companies think if I set up a booth, customers will buy from me. That's just not the case. We are investing in exhibitor education to help educated new exhibitors on how to invest their money wisely, as we want them to have an ROI. But at the end of the day, conventions serve a vital role in the economy in the industry, bringing everyone together for a short period of time under one roof. Imagine if you walk away with one idea that can save your company $10,000 it was worth coming...or if you make one new sale it was worth coming.

9:08 AM me: I look forward to what United has planned. Thanks for your time, John.